Local Speedways no longer competing in fuel prices

[GON]

Our area has two local Speedways. Fuel is also competitive in price in our area.

Over the past two months, I have noticed our local Speedways appear to no longer want to compete on prices.

In the below pictures is one example. This Speedway is directly across the street from the Allsups. Funny thing, one mile down the road and unleaded is $3.27.

Our area has a lot of fuel stations. I suspect the key net profit maker at the many local fuel stations is tobacco, energy drinks, soda, and processed packaged food. Fuel is likely a loss leader.

 

[levi]

In our area, the Speedway stations are always the first to raise prices when there has been a decline in prices. They try to get others to 'follow the leader'. And they do.

Then prices begin to gradually decline. And then Speedway jumps back up, starting the cycle all over again. I have observed this pattern for years.

 

[Klutch9]

In our area, the Speedway stations are always the first to raise prices when there has been a decline in prices. They try to get others to 'follow the leader'. And they do.

Then prices begin to gradually decline. And then Speedway jumps back up, starting the cycle all over again. I have observed this pattern for years.

Yep, I’ve noticed the same thing for many years with Speedway in SE Michigan.

 

[D1dad]

I’m in Vegas for work and apparently Nevada doesn’t wanna be competitive either? 4.65 everywhere I look. Meanwhile it’s $1 per gallon cheaper back home. @$72 a barrel, we shouldn’t be getting ripped off like this!

 

[AutoMechanic]

Ever since 7-11 took them over they haven’t been competitive and also stopped carrying a lot of products too. I only go to Speedway for the 59 cent fountain drinks these days.

 

[Pablo]

Around here they are just setup for card skimmers

 

[BHopkins]

Speedway doesn't have Top Tier gas, do they? What is the draw, that people would pay premium fuel prices there?

I ask, because there are no Speedway gas stations in my area.

Edit: I just looked, and Speedway isn't listed as TT, but Marathon, who owns Speedway is TT.

 

[GON]

Speedway doesn't have Top Tier gas, do they? What is the draw, that people would pay premium fuel prices there?

I ask, because there are no Speedway gas stations in my area.

Edit: I just looked, and Speedway isn't listed as TT, but Marathon, who owns Speedway is TT.

The Allsaps in the picture, directly across the street from the Speedway, surprisingly is TT.

I speculate the draw is people who fail to comparison shop. I usually see one and only one car at local speedway pumps, but across the streets the pumps are robust with people fueling up.

 

[Tdbo]

Edit: I just looked, and Speedway isn't listed as TT, but Marathon, who owns Speedway is TT.

Marathon sold Speedway off to 7-11 several years ago.
Still using the name, however they seem to be selling some of them off and transitioning them to the 7-11 name.
Around us, Speedway used to be the one that controlled pricing.
Not so much anymore. Sheetz seems to manipulate pricing.
Speedway has been running lower in price, particularly after 7 cents off for the Speedy Rewards card.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

The Allsaps in the picture, directly across the street from the Speedway, surprisingly is TT.

I speculate the draw is people who fail to comparison shop. I usually see one and only one car at local speedway pumps, but across the streets the pumps are robustH with people fueling up.

Have used Allsups fuels many times when visiting New Mexico. At one time they sold Phil 66 fuels. I see this one is Valero, but I think I always got top tier fuels from them. Also remember some of the stations were relatively small, old but clean.

 

[scrllock]

Speedway doesn't have Top Tier gas, do they? What is the draw, that people would pay premium fuel prices there?

I ask, because there are no Speedway gas stations in my area.

Edit: I just looked, and Speedway isn't listed as TT, but Marathon, who owns Speedway is TT.

Speedway stations here definitely aren't TT. The couple times I've had to use their gas in my track car, I've noticed way more pulled timing than my usual Shell/Costco 93. The main draw here is they do tend to be the cheapest option, but I don't think that Marathon is springing for TT additives for this brand.

 

[Hall]

In our area, the Speedway stations are always the first to raise prices when there has been a decline in prices. They try to get others to 'follow the leader'. And they do.

Yes, it's called "the Speedway effect". Their corporate headquarters used to be located off I-70 between Dayton and Columbus (near Springfield) so their stations are by far the most common around here. I drive past (3) - on the same road, less than 3 mile distance - on the way to/from work.

What is the draw, that people would pay premium fuel prices there?

They're not a gas station. They're a convenience store that happens to sell fuel. Look at their website and find mentions of "fuel". Their slogan is, "The convenience stores of ... Speed-way".

 

[Hall]

Speedway stations here definitely aren't TT. The couple times I've had to use their gas in my track car, I've noticed way more pulled timing than my usual Shell/Costco 93.

Huh ? Top Tier has nothing to do with octane, which is what you're implying when you refer to "pulled timing".

 

[Hall]

Not so much anymore. Sheetz seems to manipulate pricing.

Sheetz fooled me with their low prices... We were going back and forth to Columbus quite often at one point and a Sheetz had just opened along I-70 and their price was 50c lower than everyone and even cheaper for E15. It seems to vary for how long they do it, but it was just promo pricing for the newly opened store. They opened more around, including one near my work, but that pricing only lasted 4-5 weeks.

 

[scrllock]

Huh ? Top Tier has nothing to do with octane, which is what you're implying when you refer to "pulled timing".

Didn't say it did. Just crappy gas all around.

 

[JohnnyG]

Speedway doesn't have Top Tier gas, do they? What is the draw, that people would pay premium fuel prices there?

I ask, because there are no Speedway gas stations in my area.

Edit: I just looked, and Speedway isn't listed as TT, but Marathon, who owns Speedway is TT.

I think Marathon sold the Speedway brand.

 

[Hall]

Didn't say it did. Just crappy gas all around.

You correlated engine timing with TT fuel, so yeah, you did.

You do realize that all gasoline has to meet standards set by the EPA ? Any station can get "bad gas" at some point (even Sam's and Costco stations have had it happen), but Speedway still gets their fuel from Marathon (trucks, at least) and does enough volume that their gas is always fresh.

 

[dogememe]

I don't see very many Speedways but they always seem to have high prices, old run down slow pumps, and dingy stores. Not sure why anyone chooses to go there. Ever since Costco came to down our fuel prices are competitive with nearby cities/towns. Before that it was crazy.

 

[UncleDave]

In my area Sinclair sets the low price, followed by Arco, matched by independents.

Speedway is just another mid priced place.

 

[Hall]

I don't see very many Speedways

Speedway is just another mid priced place.

Speedway is/was based in the midwest. They've bought many other chains/brands over time but had no idea they went as far as California. What were those stations before, maybe SuperAmerica ?

Ever since Costco came to down our fuel prices are competitive

I've never seen any stations make any effort to compete with Costco or Sam's since they're member-only fuel stations. The Costco here is $3.43/gallon and the Kroger (literally in the same parking lot) is $3.90/gallon.